My time aboard SRAM road groups is limited, but, like SRAM’s mountain groups, the shifting has always been crisp and smooth. DoubleTap does take some getting used to, but those who ride it absolutely love it.

On other fronts, it’s long been rumored that SRAM has been developing road-specific hydraulic disc and rim brakes. Today, SRAM made it official by at least acknowledging they are working on them with a tentative launch of Fall 2012.

Read below for a bit more information on the new 2012 SRAM RED groupset and a link to the PDF spec sheet.

From SRAM:

For 2012, the new SRAM RED continues in the SRAM tradition as the leader in light weight, flawless shifting, and ergonomic advantage with gorgeous aesthetic styling. How did we improve on the world’s best mechanical gruppo? We started with everything we knew, and then designed a brand new drivetrain from scratch. Each part was engineered with the twin goals of eliminating the superfluous while focusing on an overall synergy that translates into unmatched performance. Elegant and simple, SRAM RED perfects the riding experience through genuine innovation. SRAM RED changes everything.

SRAM RED Highlights:

• 6 BRAND NEW COMPONENTS:Shifters, Rear Derailleur, Front Derailleur, Brakeset, Crankset, Cassette
• NEW FRONT SHIFTING TECHNOLOGY: Fast / Efficient / Low noise
• FULLY INTEGRATED POWERMETER: New Quarq Technology
• AMAZING NEW FINISH: Two-tone Falcon Grey and Black look
• SRAM RED TOTAL WEIGHT: 1739g (BB30). The lightest groupset ever
• MSRP: $2575 complete
• Available February 15, 2012

More Info: Visit SRAM.com | Download Spec Sheet – PDF

As always, I’m tasked with finding the best-in-show. Lots of great gear, but I’ve whittled it down to these.

The North Face FlashDry

With all the new latest waterproof/breathable fabrics on the market, there’s one thing that remains constant — water droplets. With all laminated fabrics from Gore-Tex, eVent, Polartec and the like, the most efficient way to transfer perspiration through them is in vapor form. Well, changing perspiration droplets into vapor takes time and that time is what makes you wet from the inside-out.

To combat this, The North Face has developed their new FlashDry™ technology and will be releasing it on nearly 100 items for Fall 2012. FlashDry will be a core part of several key new products as well as being added to many of their top-performing items.

A quick bit from The North Face on FlashDry:

The porous particles of FlashDry® work with your body to regulate temperature by accelerating moisture removal and dramatically improving dry time. Individually, articles with FlashDry™ outperform anything available on the market, but when worn together in a layering system with a baselayer, mid-layer and jacket, the dry time is even faster than when wearing alone.

The technical demo of the fabric was what wow’d me. Two fabric swatches (one with FlashDry and one without), a constant drip and a puddle under one and nothing under the other. The FlashDry fabric dried so quickly that the water never even had time to fully-saturate the fabric while the regular fabric soaked it up and allowed the water to puddle below. Amazing.

Look for FlashDry in a wide variety of products from base layers to hard-shells this Fall.

Patagonia Light Flyer Jacket

I’m always a fan of lightweight, breathable shells. For my activities of choice, I’m always leaning towards the breathable side of waterproof/breathable. With that in mind, Patagonia will introduce their 9.1 oz Light Flyer Jacket.

Intended as a weatherproof/breathable running shell, Gore Active will allow this jacket to battle anything Mother Nature dishes out while breathing like a champ. Breathability is aided by unique upper-arm vents to allow gobs of airflow. And when the unexpected becomes chilly and cold, the asymmetric cuffs feature built-in mittens to allow you to stay out longer.

Look for the Patagonia Light Flyer Jacket this Fall at a reasonable $279.

Garmont Cosmos Touring Boots

Lots of great new backcountry ski boots were on display, but the one that captured my attention and wrapped my foot in absolute comfort was the new Garmont Cosmos. Billed as the lightest 4-buckle boot on the market at 1450 grams, the Cosmos doesn’t just go for lightweight, it adds a dose of versatility and comfort to the mix.

While the competition does have some great boots, I have to give the nod to the Cosmos for its amazing comfort, supreme walkability with a full 65-degree cuff rotation and overall simplicity of the design. Constructed of 100% Gryllamid, it balances weight reduction with stiffness to make a winning design.

It doesn’t attempt to “out gadget” the competition, instead it provides a no-nonsense design that will withstand years of use and abuse in the backcountry. I loved the stiffness and walkability the most as it goes from a mountaineering boot to a vert-devouring machine in a jiffy. At $699, it’s not the cheapest in its class, but it is on par with the competition.

Black Diamond Covert Avalung Pack

Black Diamond has emerged from the Avalung recall with a vengeance. New materials and design changes highlight the lifesaving device and have it being built into an entirely-new backcountry ski pack lineup. The hero of the group is the Covert pack that sports a complete re-design.

Starting with the backside, the Covert now features floating shoulder straps to flow better with your natural skiing movements. Add on top of that new pivoting waistbelt and you’ve got what BD is calling their “Active Suspension Platform”. The covert now has a sleek new design and includes niceties such as a versatile helmet holder and soft-lined goggle pocket.

Columbia UltraChange Jacket

Gone are the Bugaboo’s of yesteryear, Columbia has some seriously-impressive stuff coming down the pipe. Tops on that list is the UltraChange Jacket. Ditching the bulky and heavy zip-in design, this two-piece shell keeps the system together with a few strategically-placed loops.

Built with strategic combinations of Omni-Wick Evap and Omni-Heat fabrics, the UltraChange impressed me with its fit and comfort in a way no other jacket has. The suppleness of the outer shell and the way the entire package felt like “one” while still remaining independent was truly unique.

Sierra Designs DriDown

From a young age in Seattle, I was told that down bags were a no-no in a wet climate, so I never experienced the wonderfulness of a down sleeping bag until moving to Utah. Now, that advice can be thrown out the window… Sierra Designs DriDown treats down feathers with a hydrophobic polymer treatment that keeps it dry 7-times longer than untreated down with 98% loft retention and 33% faster dry time. The demo says it all as these identical containers were allowing water to enter into the down feather side. One is soaked and the other side has retained its loft and is nearly dry.

DriDown will initially be available in sleeping bags this June at your local REI. Then, a series of DriDown jackets will be released in the Fall.

PORTLAND, OREGON (January 5, 2012) – Garmont (www.garmontusa.com) the recognized and award-winning innovators in backcountry and ski mountaineering boot designs, will unveil their newest breakthrough – the PowerLite AT Series – at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and SIA Snow Show.

Available to skiers everywhere in fall 2012, Garmont’s PowerLite design aims for the sweet spot of winter ski adventures: full day alpine tours where climbing agility, skiing performance and complete comfort are all equally critical.

The PowerLite’s most aggressive designs – the Celeste and Cosmos – achieve their skier friendly goals by blending the industry’s most comfortable liners; Garmont’s guide-quality ski performance; and a breakthrough in weight-shaving technology that sets the stage for the lightest four-buckle ski boots, ever.

“Garmont created the big-and-burly freeride AT category, and we’ve brought ultralight AT touring to a broader audience with boots like the Masterlite, but the soul of the brand has always been centered around the backcountry and ski mountaineering experience,” said David Fee, president of Garmont USA. “To create the PowerLite series, we took some of the DNA from the award-winning Radium, added a few new twists, and created something that’s pure Garmont – a series of powerful, comfortable lightweight boots that are a blast to ski.”

In addition to the four-buckle Cosmos (MSRP $699, 1450 g, 125 AT flex) and Celeste (MSRP $699, 1250g, 120 AT flex, women’s specific liner), the PowerLite line also features two three-buckle mountaineering boots: the Orbit (MSRP $649, 1345 g, 115 AT Flex) and the Nova (MSRP $649, 1140g, 110 AT flex, women’s specific liner).

Comfort is the key in the PowerLite series, as the boots are stable and secure thanks to Garmont’s proprietary anatomic shell design and their EZFit PowerLite Liners. Comfortable out of the box, but 100% thermoformable for those seeking a custom fit, the EZFit PowerLite Liners use a bi-elastic skin with Lycra for durability and an exceptional ergonomic fit.

The PowerLite’s Grilamid® shells utilize Garmont’s exclusive “webframe” design technology, which distributes reinforcing ribs throughout the shell and cuff to give maximum rigidity while maintaining incredible lightness. The streamlined, simple Ergonomic Tongue is both elegant and easy to use. And expanded PU inserts in the shells’ inner sole act as a skiing shock absorber, as well as adding insulation, comfort and feel.

The PowerLite Series’ system for Adjustable Forward Lean provides two easy-to-adjust positions. Once the settings are locked in, a single flip of the lever changes modes from “walk” to “ski.” The patent-pending walk mechanism is sleek and streamlined, and moves with the cuff so that rotation is effortless and friction-free.

The ergonomic, supportive cuff sets a new standard for range of motion in an alpine touring boot with 60 degrees of rotation. The cuff’s dual-diameter rivets increase durability and enable free cuff rotation; while an Asymmetric Spoiler with additional medial support can be adjusted to two height positions.

On the sole of the boots, full-length Vibram® dual density rubber ski mountaineering soles cover the instep area for maximum grip when scrambling over rocks. A black, firmer rubber is used around the sole’s perimeter for durability and superior edging power in step-in bindings. Softer red rubber is used in the sole’s midsection for maximum grip.

Magnesium micro-adjustable buckles provide minimum weight and maximum durability, and use Garmont’s unique ‘Wide Open Design’ to maximize the span between open and closed. EZ Open Buckle Straps are simple and easy to manage, hinging out of the way for wide-open entry and exit; while EZ Lock Buckle Catches securely hold the cuff buckles in place during a climb.

More Info: Visit GarmontUSA.com

SUN VALLEY, ID — January 3rd, 2012— SCOTT Sports today announced it will shift gears in the aftermarket bike accessories business and take over the Syncros brand to become a major supplier in the parts and accessories market. Syncros was founded in 1986 by Peter Hamilton and Pippin Osborne as a small, high-end components company on Vancouver’s North Shore. After a few changes in ownership, Tom Ritchey made the most recent buy in 2003, and under his guidance, Syncros returned to its roots as a leading manufacturer of high end mountain bike components focused on the All Mountain, Freeride, and Downhill categories.

SCOTT will give Syncros the necessary support to design outstanding products and will enlarge the line by expanding into Cross Country and Road categories. A dedicated design and engineering team has been created, and they have already begun developing innovative products for future Syncros lines. The products will be built to refect SCOTT’s high standards for technology while also keeping top-to-bottom integration in mind. This type of product integration will cultivate new levels of innovation, adding further value to SCOTT bikes.

“We have always believed that the Syncros name has had an excellent image in the industry,” adds SCOTT Sports Vice President, Pascal Ducrot. “Our priority was to find a way to increase our offering of parts and accessories while still maintaining our relationship with Ritchey, our long-term partner. The purchase of Syncros was the perfect solution and we look forward to ofering our dealers a full line of new parts and accessories with the same high quality standards as our bikes.”

Syncros will be distributed through the SCOTT network of dedicated dealers around the globe. SCOTT currently offers dealers a full range of bikes, clothing, bike shoes, and helmets. The addition of Syncros parts and accessories will further strengthen this package, giving dealers more to offer. SCOTT will present the complete range of new Syncros products to the public during the 2012 Eurobike show.

I will say that this year has been particularly difficult to pin down as I’ve become even more selective about the products I’m reviewing. But, these products certainly stand out from the crowd.

Polartec NeoShell, Gore-Tex Active Shell and Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q

It’s hard to pick a single winner among this bunch, but for consumers, the latest crop of waterproof/breathable fabrics are much improved from the multi-layer laminates of yesteryear. Yes, Gore-Tex did invent waterproof/breathable many years ago, but while it was waterproof, it didn’t breathe all that well. eVent opened the door (or should I say vents) when it hit the market about 10 years ago and now we are finally seeing waterproof be breathable (for real).

I’m in the process of testing The North Face Jammu (Polartec Neoshell), the Arc’teryx Beta FL (Gore-Tex Active Shell) and the Mountain Hardwear Snowtastic Jacket (Dry.Q Elite) and I’m not ready to pick favorites among that bunch, but I will say that all three fabrics have finally hit the mark and for that we can all rejoice.

Fox Kashima Coat Shocks and Forks

I set out to determine if Kashima Coat was the real deal and I came away floored at just how much it improved the suspension feel. My tests included head-to-head test rides between standard RP23 and Kashima version and it took me all of 50 feet to realize that it is well worth the price of admission. My review of the RP23 Kashima is forthcoming, but the 32 Float 29er fork has me wrapped around its shiny golden legs. Read my review…

Specialized S-Works Road Shoes

I can’t say enough good things about these shoes. The Boa Lacing System is the star of the show as you can easily dial in the fit on-the-fly. Just today I was able to adjust the fit of my shoes while wearing my Sugoi Resister shoe covers… try doing that with traditional buckles or straps! Yes, they are spendy, but the comfort and function is off-the-charts good. Read my review…

Giro Aeon Helmet

Scary light and oh-so-comfortable, the Aeon helmet is so well ventilated, it feels like you’ve got the A/C cranked up on high. The fit adjustments are easy to navigate (great for Winter riding to adjust to a skullcap) and the lightweight straps make you wonder why nobody has done that yet. Kudos to Giro on a great road helmet. Read my review…

ControlTech Carbon Comp Ergo Bars

Continuing with the road bike theme, the ControlTech Carbon Comp Ergo Bars have been a delight since I installed them this Summer. I was skeptical since my Specialized Roubiax Expert required re-routing the internal cable lines, but the investment in shop time has more than paid itself off in the extreme comfort and improvements in ride quality these bars provide. Yup, I really dig them. Read my review…

Truvativ NOIR T30 10S Carbon Flat Bars

Truvativ’s new NOIR T30 10S carbon flat bars are perfect for 29er trailbikes. At 710mm wide, I was worried about maneuverability, but quickly became accustomed to the extra width. The ride quality is superb and the upsweep and backsweep of these bars really puts you in the driver’s seat with extra control and steering precision. Read my review…

Platypus Origin 3 Hydration Pack

I’ve worn this hydration pack all season and haven’t even thought about pulling any of my other packs out of storage. Not once have I felt this pack was inferior to even my favorite hydration packs. Platypus really nailed it with the Origin series. The sleek, waterproof design and comfortable back panel have kept this pack in my car all year. Read my review…

SRAM X0 Drivetrain

I’m a big fan of SRAM’s crisp, accurate shifting and the new X0 2×10 drivetrain has now graced three different bikes this season and performed flawlessly on each rig. I love the fast shifting, lightweight design and overall smoothness, but unless you’re on top of your game, the 2×10 drivetrain might leave you wanting on long, steep climbs. Still, nothing I’ve tried beats out X0′s durability and Energizer-esque work ethic. Read my review…

Rocky Mountain Element 950 29er

This one surprised me. I’ve ridden a Rocky Mountain 29er before, but nothing as fun and playful as the new Element 29er. Without question, the new Element 950 should be on your shortlist when considering a new FS 29er. For $3200, you’re getting a flat-out fun trailbike that can be raced or ridden as a daily driver. I’m anxious to get more saddle-time on this one. Read my review…

Specialized Camber Pro 29er

Specialized has quickly cut their teeth on big wheels and this year’s Camber Pro 29er is an awesome example of just how far they have come. I had such a great time on the Camber Pro that I pulled the trigger to keep it around a little longer for comparison. For 2012, the biggest changes are the addition of the carbon frames to the Camber family and a new tapered head tube, but the performance will remain. Read my review…

Niner Jet 9 Al 29er

Niner can seemingly do no wrong, it seems. And, while I’m admittedly smitten by the new Jet 9 RDO, lets not overlook this beauty in the Niner lineup. The Jet 9 Al is a superb XC machine that still has excellent trail manners. Pedal this thing uphill until you puke and then proceed to rip the downhill in a way only a Niner can. Read my review…

Specialized Roubiax Expert SL3

I put a ton of miles on my Roubiax this year and I owe it all to the added comfort and smoothness the Roubiax provides. Without question, the more upright position has allowed me to spin more miles on the pavement than ever before. My lower back thanks me and my lungs are grateful for the added conditioning my morning ascents have given them. I’m looking forward to hundreds more miles on this great bike. Read my review…

Salomon Spirit Shoes

Casual shoes… yup… casual shoes. To the office and around town, I find myself reaching for the Salomon Spirit’s. These ultralight shoes have pounded out the pavement in Las Vegas, wandered around tradeshow floors and around town in amazing comfort. I’ve yet to find a pair of casual shoes that are as equally comfortable and stylish. Read my review…

Smith Vantage Ski Helmet

The Vantage truly is a game changer. It’s lightweight construction and easy-to-use vents are as good as it gets in the ski helmet world. This helmet is very comfortable and feels almost like you’re wearing just a beanie it’s so light. If you are looking for a new lid this season, the Vantage is the one I’d recommend. Read my review…

Patagonia Nano Storm Jacket

Patagonia is leading the charge on so many fronts (sustainability, lightweight design, recycling, etc.) that its no wonder the Nano Storm Jacket is so kick-butt. I love the ultralight feel of the Nano Storm, but also appreciate that it holds up to the worst Mother Nature can dish out. It’s packable, warm and ultra-comfortable. Read my review…

He’s now taking his legendary skills and chops to the Scott – 3Rox Racing Team for 2012. After seven years with Maxxis and the last three with Rocky Mountain, it’s quite a shift, but should certainly be a great move for him and for Scott as they launch their new 2012 Spark XC race bike in both 26 and 29er versions (read my Scott Spark 29 RC review). Check out a video about his move and the press release below.

Sun Valley, ID, December 12th, 2011 — SCOTT Sports announced today the formation of a new XC team based in North America. The Team, named SCOTT- 3Rox Racing Team, will include Geoff Kabush who will target the UCI World Cup series, the 2012 Summer Olympics and select North American events aboard the SCOTT Spark and Scale mountain bikes.

Geoff commented, “Changing programs the year before the Olympics had the potential to be stressful, but I couldn’t be happier about how things have worked out with SCOTT-3Rox. I had a lot of decisions, but SCOTT-3Rox was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. SCOTT’s pursuit of excellence and dedication to racing shows in their incredible line up of bikes; I can’t wait to ride and race the Spark and Scale. It was also a big deal to me that SCOTT showed a desire for a long-term commitment; I am really excited about several ideas we discussed and their plans for the future. Partnering with the 3Rox program and the support I will have from them was also a big factor in my decision. One of the main reasons I race is to have fun, and I am looking forward to some good times with a great group of people. I have everything I need for success in place now, and I’m really looking forward to concentrating on preparing for the 2012 race season with SCOTT-3Rox.”

“SCOTT- 3Rox began four years ago as a developmental program supported by MICA Sports, the Canadian distributor for SCOTT Sports,” said Adrian Montgomery. “The Team manager, Kyle Douglas, has done an excellent job in building the support network necessary for a program that we would get behind. When we had the chance to nab a top North American to race with, we jumped at the opportunity. SCOTT is a company with a rich history in racing, and we develop high performance, lightweight products for competition of the highest caliber. Now we have an athlete who can represent our products in this part of the world, contesting races our European based World Cup team cannot.”

“I am very excited about signing Kabush, as it has been a fun and new experience for me,” remarked Kyle Douglas, manager for SCOTT- 3Rox Racing Team. “I believe that a successful program relies on having a strong foundation, and adding Geoff to the squad allows the team to get to the next level. Geoff has many aspirations, and we wanted to make sure that going into the Olympic year he has all the support he needs to perform. There will be many challenges, but having strong companies supporting the team, I feel that we will attain our goals. Overall I am very excited to add an asset like Geoff to SCOTT-3RoxRacing.”

SCOTT-3Rox Racing Team Roster for 2012
Geoff Kabush
Derek Zandstra
Cam Jette
Tyson Wagler
Marc-Antoine Nadon
Amanda Sin
Mikaela Kofman
Laura Bietola

More Info: Visit Scott-Sports.com

DENVER (Dec. 8, 2011) – With nearly 40 cities across the state expressing initial interest in the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, race officials have unveiled the 12 host cities that will serve as starts and finishes for the second annual stage race. After drawing more than 1 million fans in the inaugural year, the 2012 race will return to several cities and also visit new locations, showcasing the majestic beauty of the state.

Recently upgraded to a 2.HC ranking, the highest registration level next to the Tour de France, the race will visit a total of 12 official host cities over the course of the seven days, from August 20-26, 2012.

The host cities and stages of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge include:

• Monday, Aug. 20 Stage 1 Durango – Telluride
• Tuesday, Aug. 21 Stage 2 Montrose – Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte
• Wednesday, Aug. 22 Stage 3 Gunnison – Aspen
• Thursday, Aug. 23 Stage 4 Aspen – Beaver Creek/Vail Valley
• Friday, Aug. 24 Stage 5 Breckenridge – Colorado Springs
• Saturday, Aug. 25 Stage 6 Golden – Boulder
• Sunday, Aug. 26 Stage 7/ITT Denver

“The host cities selected for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will enable us to showcase the beauty and hospitality of Colorado to a worldwide audience,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “These cities are valued partners who will work with us, hand in hand, as we continue to raise the bar for professional cycling here in America.”

Overall winner of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Levi Leipheimer said, “What makes Colorado uniquely challenging is the Rocky Mountains. Knowing that in 2012 we will start in one corner of the state and suffer through more mountain passes than any other race of this caliber in the North America is exciting. Add in the altitude factor and you’ve got one beast of a race.”

The four new cities joining the 2012 race – Durango, Telluride, Montrose and Boulder – each offer breathtaking scenery, as well as a unique cycling history, that will add to the overall impact of the race.
· The “Four Corners” area is home to Bob Roll, one of professional cycling’s most iconic commentators, as well as the Iron Horse Classic Bicycle Race.

· Durango is home to more professional cyclists, national champions and Olympians per capita than any other town in the United States.

· Often referred to as the birthplace of American cycling, Boulder is consistently ranked one of the best cycling cities in the country.

“By incorporating iconic cycling cities like Boulder and Durango in our second-year race we will further build the virtual postcard for the state of Colorado that we established in our inaugural year,” added Hunter.

Also new in 2012 is the placement of the Individual Time Trial on the final day of racing in Denver, keeping fans holding their breath to the very end to see who will be awarded the overall victory after the seven days of fiercely competitive racing. Fans in Denver will have multiple opportunities to cheer for any given rider, as well as the benefit of both start line access to riders along the traditional team “pit row” and the thrilling finish line excitement.

A number of criteria were taken into consideration when evaluating potential host cities, including full city services support. The race also considered commitments in the areas of lodging, volunteer recruitment, marketing and local tourism, as well as an ability to host world-class athletes and promote the State of Colorado.

Further details of the start and finish line locations, as well as the specific, detailed route will be announced in the spring.

About the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure – more than two miles in elevation. One of the largest cycling events in United States history, the 2012 race will feature the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America’s most beautiful scenery.

Referred to as “America’s Race,” the second annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012. More than 1 million spectators are expected to once again line the route to see if Levi Leipheimer will defend his title as winner of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, while millions more around the world will watch the race on television and online through the Tour Tracker.

More Info: Visit USAProCyclingChallenge.com or follow @USAProChallenge.

DZ Nuts Chamois Cream Features:

• Originally formulated for Dave Zabriske
• Specially-formulated chamois cream
• Designed to prevent saddle sores
• Size: 4 oz
• MSRP: $24

DZ Nuts Chamois Cream Review

Once you start putting in serious miles its important to find a chamois cream that works for you. A good embrocation cream makes a huge difference in keeping saddle soreness to a minimum. And, you don’t want to chance doing any serious damage to that region of the old body. About a year ago I was introduced to DZ Nuts and immediately liked it simply due to the name, let’s be honest, it’s catchy.

I was training for LOTOJA and my training partners tipped me off to it — I was a fan from my first use!  The stuff was designed for Dave Zabriskie (DZ) by a pharmaceutical scientist to reduce and relieve chaffing, irritation and to protect skin from fungal infections (definitely want to avoid that action). Some of the main ingredients include Tea Tree Oil which is a powerful anti-bacterial oil, Evodia which is an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent from Chinese herbal medicine, and Masterwort which is an herb found in the Swiss Alps that was used by the ancient Greeks for its wound healing and calming properties.

So, all that said, this isn’t just some lotion that you slap on your junk, this is truly a scientific formulated cream that will help protect what you need to protect, whether you are a serious or casual cyclist. Protect your junk by using DZ Nuts liberally the next time you ride. Lube em or lose em!

Also, for those of you who shave your legs to keep them clean for any potential spills on the bike, you will want to try DZ’s shaving cream. If your like me, you always feel a little strange snagging your wife’s shaving cream to do the job, the first time I tried DZ Nuts shaving cream I realized what I had been missing and my wife is appreciative that I finally have my own. So man up and stop stealing your wife’s cream and get some of the good stuff that DZ Nuts makes.

Good DZ Nuts

• Significantly reduced saddle soreness for me
• Anti-bacterial action is good

Bad DZ Nuts

• 4 oz isn’t much if you use it often

Bottom Line: DZ Nuts Chamois Cream

Protect your junk on your next ride with DZ Nuts. It saved my man area on long rides, like Lotoja.

Buy Now: Visit JensonUSA.com

Perfect time for Christmas, you can now set yourself up with The Collective Anthology, which includes all three films (with bonus features), Seasons on Blu-ray (limited-time), a disc of previously-unreleased material, a mini book with Sterling Lorence’s best work and a few other items. I’m stoked.

The Collective Anthology Set Includes

• The Collective, Roam, and Seasons (with all bonus features)
• A fourth disc with previously unreleased material including:
  Forest for the Tree: a documentary about The Collective and the making of the films
  Mining for Nugs: a short film about acclaimed mountain bike photographer Sterling Lorence
  Action Remix: and Mellow Remix: Highlight reels of some of the best footage from all the films
• A 26 page mini-book of Sterling Lorence photos from the years in the field
• A die cut tree logo sticker
• Free music downloads from Latch Key Kid

And for a limited time also includes

• A copy of Seasons on Blu-ray
• A chance to win a new Specialized 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO

Buy Now: Available at TheCollectiveFilm.com – $49.95 CAD

The new Moots MX Divide full-suspension bike is available in both 26 and 29-inch flavors and features the Sotto Group-designed Fusion Link Suspension design. The co-development of the Fusion Link took several years. Rob Mitchell, President of Moots Cycles said the following:

“We co-developed the Fusion Link Suspension System with the Sotto Group specifically to balance overall stiffness and ride quality for 29” and 26” wheeled cross country bikes. We’ve incorporated numerous features from our RSL frames to create cross country bikes that excel equally well whether climbing, descending or accelerating over mixed trail conditions. We’re excited to move titanium full suspension forward.”

Titanium mountain bikes are not all that common and titanium full-suspension mountain bikes are even more rare. Here are a few features of the Fusion Link Suspension:

• Fusion Swing Link: formed out of carbon fiber to be light, stiff and clean, this provides the connection between seat stays, frame and shock.
• 7/8” titanium seat stays: ovalized and shaped for strength, stiffness and clearance with sculpted bearing points on each end (designed and machined in-house).
• Fox RP-23 Kashima Shock: Fox’s top of the line rear shock provides minimal friction during shock compression and rebound.
• Lower pivot design and placement: the pivot is located low on the seat post, specifically placed for 26” and 29” sized wheels respectively, works in conjunction with the Fusion Swing Link and RP-23 for a plush ride. Oversized bearings at pivot locations provide durability and require little maintenance.

The rear-end is matched to 100mm front forks for XC performance that’s still trail-capable. If you’re looking at getting into a Moots MX Divide 29er, it will set you back a lot of money, but you knew that. Expect frame-only prices to be north of $4000 (price TBA).

More Info: Visit Moots.com